Aruba. One Happy Island!

Transcription

1 Aruba One Happy Island!

2 Aruba is part of the ABC s

3 Aruba Fast Facts Independent nation, member of Dutch Commonwealth Currency is the Florin (1 dollar = 1.72 fl) Island is 19 miles long by 5 miles wide Language is Papiamento Nearly everyone speaks English Main industries are tourism, oil refining

4 Aruba Fast Facts Fresh water produced by desalinization Favorite stopover for cruise lines At least 12 casinos Air temp constant year round, low to mid 80 s Humidity is moderate Trade winds constant at knots or more

5 Aruba Curious Facts Service charges and tipping are unique Drinking water is best out of the tap More lost golf balls per acre than any other Caribbean island Cuban cigars look like ripe bananas after 1 day Even the customs officers are happy No out-of-work web site developers on entire island

6 Aruba Diving Best wreck diving in Caribbean Water temp o in March, low 80 s in the summer and fall (you ll be OK in a 3 mil, and very happy in a 5 mil wet suit) 400 Antilles, German Freighter at 60 Perdanales at 30 Red Sail Sports Unique Sports of Aruba

7 Aruba Web Sites Aruba.com Aruba Travel Guide Aruba Links.com Aruba Website Links Welcome to Aruba (Brittanica) Aruba Carnaval Airline Routes

8 Getting There Miami* - Air ALM via Curacao (Daily) - American Airlines (twice daily) - Martinair (starting April 5th on Thursdays & Fridays, Service until Saturday October 27th) Houston L.A. -Continental (Tuesdays & Saturdays - TWA via San Juan (daily) *If routed to Miami, stay overnight and catch the morning flight to Aruba

9 A short 2.5 hour flight from Miami, adult beverages included!

10 Sonesta Map

11 The Sonesta Resort, close yet far away

12 The private lagoon is a great place to do absolutely nothing

13 Sonesta island is a 10-minute water taxi ride away

14 A view toward the harbor and Cruise Ship Central

15 The Arubans love color, the more pastels the better

16 Speaking of color, these snowbirds could use a little

17 Shelby and Carolyn in obligatory keepsake shot

18 John and Karen sharing a Kodak moment

19 Looking toward downtown Oranjestad across the harbor

20 Waiting for water taxi to Sonesta Island (remember the cooler!)

21 The Sonesta Marine Tower and mall dominates the harbor

22 View of Crystal Casino, Seaport Mall, and The Paddock

23 Closeup of Sonesta Marine Tower

24 Do you think they d mind a couple of stow-aways?

25 Sonesta Island long-time residents

26 Got an itch you can t scratch? Hey, what are friends for?

27 The things they make me do just for a *%&#! cracker!

28 Arubans love a good party

29 Especially a party featuring lots of colorful costumes!

30 Colorful dancer with young apprentice

31 The Aruban Carnival is a very big event in February

32 And of course the guys are not to be outdone

33 Young and old alike love a good parade

34 The Arubans crown a queen of the Carnival

35 The festive air is very contagious!

36 Great attention to detail

37 Moonlighting as the new mascot for NBC TV Network

38 Nice plumage!

39 Deserves a second look

40 Positively angelic!

41 One for the ladies

42 But what if I gotta you know, go?

43 Nice cactus

44 Meet the biggest, baddest and happiest bird on the island!

45 One of over a dozen casinos featuring LV style gaming

46 View toward Sonesta Mall (beware of timeshare salespeople!)

47 View from Sonesta Marine Tower

48 Sunny days predominate after 2-minute morning showers

49 Central Plaza, early Sunday morning

50 Central Plaza after everyone wakes up

51 What s wrong with this picture?

52 Even the local fauna are friendly on Aruba

53 It s easy to over-indulge in Aruban cuisine

54 Iguana Bar terrace is a great place for people watching

55 Shopping for jewelry, fashions, electronics, Cuban cigars

56 but smoking too many Cuban cigars can stunt your growth

57 Iguanas are ubiquitous, photogenic, and obliging

58 Have you heard that people often resemble their pets?

59 Artistic makeover of leftovers

60 Sonesta Island is a great place to relax

61 Sombra o sol? Decisions, decisions

62 Karen enjoys a Cuba Libre (especially good when smuggled)

63 Nature walk on Sonesta Island (that s the resort in the distance)

64 Beachcombing can be an individual or a team sport

65 Eyes on stalks Can t take this conch shell home it s occupied!

66 Official greeter on Sonesta Island s sugar sand beach

67 Why do flamingoes scratch their tails?

68 Location of Lighthouse

69 Looking southwest from Lighthouse toward Arashi Beach

70 the Beverly Hills of Aruba

71 The Lighthouse Is the Jumping off Point for a Day-long 4-wheel Safari Tour of the Island.

72 Sailing is a breeze thanks to 15-knot trade winds

73 Safari Land Rovers have seating for 4 or 6

74 Catching some shade

75 Location of Chapel

76 Chapel grounds offers 360 o vistas of the island

77 Karen and local flora

78 When on safari, be prepared to shake and bake

79 Location of Gold Ruins

80 Ruins of gold processing operation

81 View to the north from gold processing ruins

82 View to the south toward Natural Bridge

83 View toward the pier

84 The Natural Bridge

85 If you re not careful, you ll get wet!

86 Location of De Palm Island

87 Desalinization plant on southwest coast near DePalm Island

88 DePalm Island a nice pit stop!

89 Location of Arikok Park

90 Indian caves in Arikok National Park

91 Indian Graffitti

92 Caves are cool in more ways than one

93 Near the caves at Arikok Park Visitors Center

94 Looking toward the ocean from Arikok Visitors Center

95 Location of High Point

96 Airport Sonesta Hotels View from east to west from highest point on Aruba (600 ft)

97 Trade winds especially strong up here

98 Looking to the southwest cowpokes would feel right at home here!

99 The World Infamous Carlos and Charlies

100 great sign wearing plastic butt Drinking Games at C & C s

101 Carolyn masquerading as a Hyatt guest

102 speaks for itself

103 near Divi resort

104 Let s Go Latin

105 Let s Go Latin

106 Let s Go Latin

107 Let s Go Latin

108 Cuban food is big on Aruba

109 Happy sunburned faces

110 Pirates snorkeling cruise - Ar be gar and all that

111 The rum punch is a great ice-breaker

112 Snorkeling near the lighthouse

113 Beverly Hills

114 Horseback riding is another popular activity

115 A rope swing brings out the kid in everybody

116 John impersonating a cannon ball

117 Shelby goes skimming

118 Good hang time, deserves at least a 9

119 Mi Dushi

120 Snorkeling is very popular, but don t forget your diveskin

121 You can rent all kinds of watercraft on Aruba

122 Pelicans roost on the wreck of the Antilles

123 The crew gets to have fun too

124 He has to be a quick swimmer to get to the dinghy in time!

125 Aruban Restaurant

126 Aruban cuisine is as colorful as the decor

127 Sunsets are romantic on Aruba

128 and beckon the traveler to return

129 Omi stima Aruba!